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The City Is Ours is a finite series of 6 issues that invite you to explore your city, town, or street with more curious eyes. Halfway between a book and a magazine, each issue is dedicated to a specific theme relating to the streetscape.

The 5th issue of “The City Is Ours” focusses on manhole covers, each uniquely designed, revealing stories about civic identity, history, and utility.

This edition showcases their evolution from mere functional objects to forms of artistic expression, featuring everything from ornate covers in Japan to the historical designs of early urban planners.

It delves into how these everyday fixtures have inspired artists, engaged historians, and captivated the curious. Have you ever wondered about the secrets and stories these everyday artefacts might hold?

In the first part, we analyze various types of manhole covers using a scientific yet ironic approach, presented as a photo essay.

The second part comprises a collection of diverse interpretations of manhole covers. In this section, artists, photographers, and observers offer an inspiring overview of the myriad ways manhole covers can be perceived and interpreted.